What Can Seniors Eat if They’ve Been Diagnosed with Fatty Liver Disease?

Home Care in Arlington County VA

Home Care in Arlington County VA

Fatty liver disease is a chronic liver illness that makes it difficult for the liver to function. The liver helps with digestion, immune support, detoxifying the body, and maintaining blood sugar levels, so when there are problems in the liver, there are possibly bigger health issues looming. Switching up their diets can help seniors with fatty liver disease live a healthier and happier life, and home care providers can make this goal easier to hit.

Water Is the Best Beverage

A common misconception is that everyone with liver issues has a problem with alcohol, but that isn’t necessarily the case. Plenty of people are diagnosed with fatty liver disease who don’t drink alcohol at all. That said, water is the best beverage for seniors to drink because it helps the entire body to stay hydrated and function properly.

Fruits and Vegetables Offer Important Nutrients

About half of their plate at every meal should include fruits and vegetables for seniors healing from fatty liver disease. Eating a rainbow of different veggies and fruits helps seniors to get an array of nutrients that their bodies need in order to heal. Home care providers can help seniors to find fruit and vegetable combinations that they enjoy eating so that they’re not feeling as if they’re giving anything up.

Lean Proteins Keep Muscles Strong

Protein is important for all seniors, even if they have fatty liver disease. The key is to choose fewer protein options like red meat and instead opt for leaner proteins, like poultry, as well as fish and seafood. These protein choices give seniors plenty of protein while also reducing the saturated fats that make their livers work harder than they have to.

Healthy Fats Support Brain Health

That isn’t to say that seniors have to avoid fats altogether. Healthy fats, like olive oil and other unsaturated fats are great for brain health and for the rest of the body. Home care providers can help seniors to find other cooking methods that rely less on using fats and that are still tasty. Plant-based fats in general are a better choice overall.

Avoid Foods That Worsen Liver Symptoms

Any foods that make it tougher for the liver to do its job are ones that seniors with fatty liver disease should avoid. That includes alcohol, of course, but also highly processed foods. These types of foods often include ingredients like too much salt or sugar, as well as saturated fats that are harder for seniors with fatty liver disease to process. Reducing some of these foods in their diets helps to make more room for healthy choices and seniors may find that they start to crave healthier foods as they limit some of these unhealthy options.

Making dietary changes for health reasons can be really difficult, especially for seniors. But if they’ve been diagnosed with fatty liver disease, their diet can make a huge difference in how they feel overall. Home care providers can work with seniors to strike a balance between eating for health and enjoying what they eat.

If you or an aging loved one are considering home care in Arlington County, VA, please contact the caring staff at LivinRite Home Care. Serving Northern Virginia, The Valley, and Surrounding Communities – call us today at (703) 369-6677.

Julie McCormick, Co-Owner
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